What are the Land Cruiser series?
The Land Cruiser series is Toyota’s long-running family of rugged, off‑road capable SUVs, spanning generations from the classic 40 Series to the modern 300 Series, and including the related Land Cruiser Prado variant.
This article explains what counts as the Land Cruiser series, how the lineup has evolved over decades, and where current models fit in today’s global market. It covers the main generations that have defined the line, plus how Prado fits into the broader family in various regions.
Origins and evolution
The Land Cruiser name began in the 1950s with Toyota’s early four‑wheel‑drive utility vehicles. Over time, Toyota split the lineup into distinct series that reflect size, purpose, and era—from the rugged, buckets-of-durability workhorses to more refined, road‑tested SUVs. Today, the core lineage that people refer to includes several well-known generations, culminating in the latest 300 Series, which continues the brand’s emphasis on capability, reliability, and long-term value. In many markets, the Prado badge is used for a smaller, more city-friendly variant that shares the same off‑road DNA with the larger Land Cruisers.
Core Land Cruiser families
Below is a concise guide to the major contemporary Land Cruiser families that have defined the lineup in recent decades. The list focuses on widely recognized series that customers encounter globally, with the Prado treated as a closely related sub-line in many regions.
- 40 Series — the original, iconic Land Cruiser lineage driven by durability and off‑road prowess (including the famous FJ/FJ‑style models).
- 60 Series — a longer‑wheelbase, family‑oriented SUV that bridged rugged capability with everyday practicality.
- 70 Series — a hard‑working, purpose‑built 4x4 widely used in fleets and exploration missions; still produced for several markets.
- 80 Series — a luxury‑leaning, visually distinctive SUV with improved on‑road comfort while retaining serious off‑road capability.
- 100 Series — introduced late in the 1990s, balancing comfort with solid off‑road abilities and modern features for its era.
- 200 Series — the full‑size flagship produced from 2007 to 2021, noted for bold presence, reinforced chassis, and advanced tech for its time.
- 300 Series — the current generation, launched in 2021, bringing new efficiency, refinement, and continued off‑road capacity for today’s demands.
Together these families form the backbone of Toyota’s off‑road heritage, with regional trims and configurations that tailor capability to local needs and markets.
Related model: Land Cruiser Prado
In many markets, the Land Cruiser Prado sits alongside the full‑size Land Cruiser as a mid‑size alternative. It typically offers a smaller footprint, lighter weight, and a more urban‑friendly ride while retaining off‑road DNA and the Toyota reliability story. The Prado is marketed under the Land Cruiser umbrella in several regions and serves as a gateway to the broader family for buyers who don’t require the full‑size flagship capabilities.
Summary
The Land Cruiser series is a storied lineage of Toyota off‑road SUVs that has evolved across generations—from the rugged, utilitarian 40 and 70 Series to the more comfortable 80, 100, and 200 Series, culminating in the current 300 Series. The Prado remains a closely related, smaller‑scale member of the family in many markets. The lineup reflects a balance between durability for explorers and fleets, and modern comfort and technology for everyday use.
